Information network Chats Collects resources PLN Back channel to lessons/meetings
Twitter can be overwhelming in the beginning. It feels like eavesdropping on one side of a conversation. Start slow by following only a few select people. You can learn a lot by lurking without commenting but when you start interacting you will gain more information than you can imagine. You will receive an egg icon when you first register your Twitter account - good etiquette is to replace it with an actual picture or avatar as soon as possible. There are endless ways to personalize your Twitter page don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.
Back Channel: If Twitter is not blocked it is an great way to level the playing field by allowing students to comment during lessons. Students that might not want to comment often have something to add when they can use Twitter. Using a # that matches your lessons you can archive the discussion for everyone to refer to at a later time. Allows everyone to participate simultaneously. Another twist to following a class lesson - assign a discussion topic with a # as homework.
Hashtags: # or hashtags as they are know in Twitter are a way to tag and share ideas quickly. Use them judiciously attaching one to each tweet is considered bad form.
Conferences have hashtags. Use them when you are at conference to share what you are learning in each session
PLNs or get out there and mingle - librarians and educators to follow: PLN Starter Kit A PLN(Personal Learning Network) is a must in this information age. This kit will help you set up your own personal network. Twitter is a great way to have your very own PLN and it is available 24/7. Here is a list of some must follow people to get you started: @ProfessorNana @donalynbooks @PaulWHankins @MrSchuReads @colbysharp @anitasilvey @MWLibraryDiva
These are only a few of the thousands of wonderful educators in the Twitterverse. See who they follow and follow along.
Chats:
Chats are scheduled times for like minded people to gather to share ideas and information. It is very helpful to use a service to block outside conversations while you are participating in a chat. One such service is: http://tweetchat.com/. You have to sign in with your twitter id and then enter the hashtag of the chat you want to follow. The only things you will see are tweets in the chat of your choice. (You can leave Twitter open in another window if you like.)
One great chat for librarians: #Titletalk: This chat takes place every fourth Sunday at 7:00 pm. This chat is hosted by Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp. Librarians and teachers come together to discuss books and reading. Beware this chat can be harmful to your budget because you will want to purchase all of the books being discussed. This is also a fast paced chat so they are archived so you can revisit them at your convenience. Archive site: http://titletalk.wikispaces.com/ If you want a list of great books and how to integrate them into your program or curriculum this is a great chat.
Mr. Schu and Colby Sharp have started a book club on Twitter that will meet Tues November 19th, TODAY! at 7pm CST. #SharpSchu These are two of the most enthusiastic readers you will ever encounter their book club should be a lot of fun.
Spin Offs: There have been some wonderful spin off projects that resulted from Twitter conversations:
Paul Hankins hosted a Twitter campaign against censorship that won national attention.
Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp along with many others formed the Nerdy Book Club a daily blog about books and reading. Join the discussion at: http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/
Donalyn Miller hosts the #bookaday project each school break encouraging everyone to read "a book a day" and tweet about it.
Paul Hankins did a spin off of #bookaday called Centurions on Facebook encouraging participants to set a yearly reading goal and post monthly about their progress.
Mr. Schu and Colby Sharp challenged everyone to participate in the Newbery Challenge by reading all the Newbery winners and honor books in order. There is also a Caldecott Challenge along the same lines.
Tweet-Ups are actual face to face meetings at conferences and other events of people who participate in Twitter. Say you are going to TLA/IRA/TCEA and so are several other colleagues you regularly Tweet with so you all agree on Twitter to meet at the conference.
? Who knows you may start the next great spin off project!
Information network
Chats
Collects resources
PLN
Back channel to lessons/meetings
Twitter can be overwhelming in the beginning. It feels like eavesdropping on one side of a conversation. Start slow by following only a few select people. You can learn a lot by lurking without commenting but when you start interacting you will gain more information than you can imagine. You will receive an egg icon when you first register your Twitter account - good etiquette is to replace it with an actual picture or avatar as soon as possible. There are endless ways to personalize your Twitter page don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.
An Educator's Guide to Twitter This LiveBinder site includes all the ins and outs of Twitter.
Check out the Nov./Dec. 2012 issue of LMC - On pages 46-47 there is an article: Twitter Tips and Tricks for Your Library and Classroom.
Also check out these websites:
Twitter for Libraries and Librarians
100 Ways to Use Twitter in Your Library
35 Interesting Ways and Tips to Use Twitter in the Classroom
13 Great Twitter Chats Every Educator Should Check Out
Back Channel:
If Twitter is not blocked it is an great way to level the playing field by allowing students to comment during lessons. Students that might not want to comment often have something to add when they can use Twitter. Using a # that matches your lessons you can archive the discussion for everyone to refer to at a later time. Allows everyone to participate simultaneously. Another twist to following a class lesson - assign a discussion topic with a # as homework.
Hashtags:
# or hashtags as they are know in Twitter are a way to tag and share ideas quickly. Use them judiciously attaching one to each tweet is considered bad form.
Conferences have hashtags. Use them when you are at conference to share what you are learning in each session
PLNs or get out there and mingle - librarians and educators to follow:
PLN Starter Kit A PLN(Personal Learning Network) is a must in this information age. This kit will help you set up your own personal network. Twitter is a great way to have your very own PLN and it is available 24/7. Here is a list of some must follow people to get you started:
@ProfessorNana
@donalynbooks
@PaulWHankins
@MrSchuReads
@colbysharp
@anitasilvey
@MWLibraryDiva
These are only a few of the thousands of wonderful educators in the Twitterverse. See who they follow and follow along.
Chats:
Spin Offs:
There have been some wonderful spin off projects that resulted from Twitter conversations: